International recognition for Subway recycling project

SPT’s Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) with Glasgow Caledonian University has received international recognition for its work to find a cost effective solution to water management in the Subway and transform it into a form of energy power.

Through the KTP, we have established a sustainable heat source from the large volumes of water we remove from the Subway network through a pumping system.

Simultaneously, we also established a project to recycle the air from the tunnels as another viable energy source for stations.

Attending the first International Conference on Energy Geotechnics, senior lecturer Dr Nick Hytiris presented the project work at an international conference in energy in Germany. The paper was very well received and even created some media interest with Nick being interviewed by Deutschlandradio.

SPT Chief Executive Gordon Maclennan said:

“SPT manages large volumes of water within the Subway tunnel network causing condensation, corrosion and defects making it a major contributor to on-going expensive infrastructure maintenance for us.

“Working with the University through the Knowledge Transfer Partnership we have found the best solution, turning what was, one of our biggest problems into a viable energy source in our stations.

“At the same time, our work to recycle air from the tunnels has created another source of heat for stations. We were delighted to win a Scottish Transport Award for this project earlier in the year but to now have this work recognised by an international audience is further proof that we have achieved something quite unique and outstanding in terms of recycling energy power.”